Easy Adirondack Hikes: Frederica Mountain (Lake Lila) Tupper Lake NY

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An easy hike or walk along the access road to Lake Lila
Exploring Lake Lila: The William C. Whitney Wilderness Area

Everyone that I know who has spent any time at the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area comes back expounding about the beauty of Lake Lila. With all the autumn colors nearing peak, it is our turn to explore the lake named for William Seward Webb’s wife, Lila Vanderbilt Webb.

The drive into the Lake Lila is beautiful and a bit isolated. We are fortunate to arrive at a time of year when it’s not the height of camping season. There are a few cars in the parking area, but I’m told that if the Lake Lila parking area hits its 30-car capacity, people must drive back out the 5.6-mile dirt road to park on Sabattis Rd., or come back another time. Lake Lila Rd. is bordered by private land and parking is only available at the parking area.

The trail register is located right at the parking area. There is a Canoe Access Trail (0.3-miles) available for an easy walk right to the lake, but we take the wide dirt road through the yellow gates.

The road/trail to Mt Frederica is perfect for biking. We are satisfied to just stretch our legs and surround ourselves with the beautiful fall colors. Since there are unoccupied campsites along the shore, there are plenty of places to access the lake.

The sandy shoreline has us searching for wildlife. It is a leisurely stroll along an old logging road and we reach the lean-to in just under three miles. Along the way we pass a few people fishing and one exclaims how a bald eagle tried to steal his catch earlier in the day. Nothing attempts to steal our lunch, but my son does spy a moose track near the lean-to. We turn back and make it a quick jog back to the parking area.

To get to Lake Lila from Tupper Lake, take Rt. 30 for about 11 miles and turn right onto Sabattis Rd/Circle Rd (CR 10A). Drive for three miles and turn right onto Sabattis Rd (CR 10) and follow the shoreline of Little Tupper Lake to reach Lake Lila Rd in eight miles. Turn left onto to Lake Lila Rd and drive to the end, 5.6-miles. This is a private road with seasonal access. Park in the designated area and proceed to the yellow gate. Enjoy!

Lake Lila/Mt Frederica trails in the
Adirondack William Whitney Wilderness Area
Mt. Frederica -
elevation - 2,180'
vertical ascent - 500'
From the parking area follow the blue markers for 3.0-miles. At the junction turn right, cross the train tracks and continue following the blue disks for an additional 1.5-miles. Continue over the summit to the open ledges. Lake Lila is below you and on a clear day there are views of the Adirondack High Peaks including the Seward Range to the north and Blue Mountain to the southeast. During the winter the Lake Lila Road is closed so add a 5.6-mile ski/snowshoe to the journey.

The junction to Mt Frederica is reached via
a flat gravel access road. 
*snowshoeing these trails is perfectly fine as long as you stay off the ski tracks. Skiing is preferred as these are access roads with some rolling hills. 

 Lilypad Pond Trail: (red)
Distance  = 8.2-miles
XC-Ski/Snowshoe = yes
This trail begins at the Burn Road Parking Area on Sabattis Rd. The trail is an old access road that parallels the north shore of Little Tupper Lake. At 4.7-miles the trail insects with the Camp Bliss trail. Continue straight. At 5.7-miles the trail reaches a junction with the Rock Pond trail. Continue straight for an additional 2.5-miles to reach Lilypad Pond.

Camp Bliss Trail ((yellow)
Distance = 1.0-mile (5.7-miles total)
XC-Ski/Snowshoe = yes
Take the Lilypad Pond trail for 4.7-miles. At the junction turn south on the Camp Bliss trail. You will reach the southwest shore of Little Tupper Lake in 1.0-miles.

Rock Pond trail (blue)
Distance  = 2.8-miles (8.5-miles total)
XC-Ski/Snowshoe = yes
Take the Lilypad Pond trail for 5.7-miles, passing the junction with the Camp Bliss trail. Turn south onto the Rock Pond trail. Continue for an additional 2.8 miles to reach the shore of Rock Pond.

Hardigan Pond trail (yellow)
Distance =  1.5-miles (8.2-miles total)
XC-Ski/Snowshoe = yes
Take the Lilypad Pond trail for 5.7-miles, passing the junction with the Camp Bliss trail. Continue to the junction with the Rock Pond trail. Turn south onto to the Rock Pond trail and continue for 1.0-mile. Turn west onto the Hardigan Pond trail. The pond will be reached in an additional 1.5-miles.

Stoney Pond (red)
Distance = 4.0-miles)
XC-Ski/Snowshoe = yes
The parking access is located off of Circle Rd. Park and take the Stoney Pond trail, an old horse trail and following along the southern shore of Little Tupper Lake.

*snowshoeing these trails is perfectly fine as long as you stay off the ski tracks. Skiing is preferred as these are access roads with some rolling hills. 





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